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The Selma City Council appointed an interim fire chief and assistant interim fire chief at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

In a narrow vote by the city council,  Coley Byrd was appointed interim fire chief and named Walter Dailey interim assistant fire chief. Council members Billy Young, Troy Harvill, Clay Carmichael, Christie Thomas and Jannie Thomas voted yes. Lesia James, Michael Johnson, Sam Randolph and Atkin Jemison voted no.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. and some council members dispute that the positions were properly discussed. Perkins said he was not informed of an Executive Session on May 23, but members of his administration were. Young disagreed, saying Perkins was invited to the executive session. Carmichael added that the positions were up for discussion. 

Young said the goal is to find a permanent fire chief. Byrd has spent 25 years with the SFD, replacing Franklin Edwards. Dailey had already been in that position. 

In other city council news:

-May 21 will always be known as Asher Havon Day in Selma, honoring Season 25 of the Voice winner, Asher HaVon. A proclamation was signed by Perkins and the city council to make it official. 

-A disciplinary hearing will take place at a later date for City Attorney Major Madison.